Scientific Family
Polemoniaceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
3 to 9-3/4 inches
Riparian
No
Small sepals with slender, thread-like lobes usually remain, this helps in identification during winter months, otherwise, look for low-growing, gnarly growth-habit and woody stems.
Woody stems, tap-rooted; leaves narrow, deciduous; flower tube to 3/4 inch, petals sometimes notched at tip, petals spread at end of the tube, bright pink to reddish-purple; styles exceed sepals; flowers borne in clusters of 2 to 3, stalks glandular.
Habitat
Found in open sites, coniferous forest and woodlands.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers in groups of 2 to 3 on individual stems; stalks glandular; 1/2 to 3/4 inch tubes; lobes 1/4 to 1/2 inch long; petals somewhat notched; stamens inserted on the upper tube; stigmas within the stamens.
Flower color
Pink to reddish-purple
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Opposite, linear to narrowly oblong; 3/4 to 2 inches long, 1/16 to 1/2 inch wide; short, elongated and taper-pointed to blunt at the tips; blades thick, flat; margins entire; upper leaves glandular with long soft hairs.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsule splits open lengthwise at maturity (dehiscent) to release seeds.
Fruit type
Capsule